If you’ve lived in the Milwaukee area for any length of time, chances are you’ve spent a day shopping, dining, or simply strolling through Bayshore in Glendale.
What began as one of Wisconsin’s first suburban shopping centers has transformed into a modern open-air destination filled with retail stores, restaurants, apartments, offices, entertainment, and year-round community events. Today, Bayshore isn’t just a shopping center—it’s a place where people gather to eat, shop, relax, attend festivals, and spend time with family and friends.
Whether you’re looking for the latest fashions, a great meal, a fun date night, or a relaxing afternoon outdoors, Bayshore has something for everyone.
THIS IS HOW IT USED TO LOOK INSIDE. NOW ITS MAINLY A OUTDOOR WALKING SHOPPING MALL.
Where Is Bayshore?
📍 Address
5800 N. Bayshore Drive
Glendale, WI 53217
Located just minutes north of downtown Milwaukee along Port Washington Road and Silver Spring Drive, Bayshore is easily accessible from I-43 and serves shoppers from across southeastern Wisconsin.
Bayshore Hours
Shopping Center Hours
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Individual stores and restaurants may have different operating hours.
A Look Back in Time
Bayshore first opened in 1954, making it one of Wisconsin’s earliest suburban shopping centers. At the time, America was experiencing a post-World War II population boom, and families were moving from downtown neighborhoods into the suburbs. Retail developers recognized the need for large shopping destinations closer to where people lived.
Unlike today’s version, the original Bayshore was an open-air shopping center with department stores connected by outdoor walkways. It quickly became a favorite destination for Milwaukee-area shoppers.
From Open-Air to Enclosed Mall
As enclosed malls became popular across America during the 1970s, Bayshore underwent a major transformation.
In 1974, the center was enclosed to provide year-round climate-controlled shopping—an important feature during Wisconsin’s long winters. For decades, many Milwaukee families remember spending weekends walking through the enclosed mall, visiting department stores, grabbing food in the food court, and doing holiday shopping.
The Big Transformation
By the early 2000s, shopping habits had changed again. Rather than simply being places to shop, consumers wanted destinations where they could dine, socialize, and spend an entire afternoon or evening.
Beginning in 2006, Bayshore underwent one of the biggest redevelopment projects in Wisconsin. Large sections of the enclosed mall were demolished and replaced with an open-air, mixed-use design featuring streets, sidewalks, outdoor gathering spaces, restaurants, apartments, offices, and entertainment venues.
Today, that transformation has made Bayshore feel more like a walkable downtown district than a traditional mall.
Shopping for Every Style
Bayshore is home to a mix of national retailers, specialty boutiques, and locally owned businesses. Popular stores include:
- Apple
- Target
- Kohl’s
- Barnes & Noble
- H&M
- Nike
- Bath & Body Works
- Lane Bryant
- Champs Sports
- Total Wine & More
Whether you’re shopping for fashion, electronics, books, home décor, or gifts, you’ll find plenty of options throughout the center.
More Than Just Shopping
One thing that makes Bayshore unique is that it’s designed as a community gathering place.
Throughout the year you’ll find:
- Outdoor concerts
- Holiday celebrations
- Family events
- Fitness activities
- Farmers markets and pop-up vendors
- Seasonal festivals
- Art installations and public spaces
The open-air layout encourages visitors to spend time outdoors, relax in seating areas, and enjoy the atmosphere even if they aren’t shopping.
Great Places to Eat
After a day of shopping, there are plenty of places to grab a meal or a quick snack. From casual dining to coffee shops and desserts, Bayshore offers something for every taste.
Whether you’re planning lunch with friends, date night, or family dinner, the variety of restaurants makes it easy to spend the entire day at the center.
A Place That Keeps Evolving
Unlike many malls across America that have struggled in recent years, Bayshore has continued reinventing itself.
The addition of apartments, office space, community events, and outdoor gathering areas has helped transform it into a true mixed-use neighborhood where people can live, work, shop, and socialize in one location.
Visitor Tips
Before you go:
- Visit weekdays for lighter crowds.
- Wear comfortable shoes—there’s plenty to explore.
- Check the event calendar before your visit for free entertainment.
- Explore both the national retailers and smaller local businesses.
- Stay after shopping to enjoy dinner or dessert.
Nearby Attractions
If you’re spending the day in Glendale, consider visiting:
- Kletzsch Park
- Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
- Doctors Park
- Whitefish Bay Beach
- Milwaukee River Greenway
These attractions are all just a short drive from Bayshore.
Fun Facts
- Opened in 1954
- Originally an outdoor shopping center
- Converted into an enclosed mall in 1974
- Redeveloped into today’s open-air lifestyle center beginning in 2006
- Features more than 85 shops, restaurants, and businesses
- Includes residential apartments, offices, and year-round community event spaces
Final Thoughts
For more than 70 years, Bayshore has been part of countless Milwaukee-area memories. From holiday shopping and first jobs to family outings and weekend dinners, it has continued to adapt with each generation.
Today, Bayshore blends shopping, dining, entertainment, and community into one vibrant destination. Whether you’re picking up the latest technology, enjoying dinner with friends, attending a summer concert, or simply taking a walk through the beautifully designed outdoor spaces, Bayshore remains one of southeastern Wisconsin’s favorite places to visit.
If you’re looking for a place where you can spend an entire afternoon—or even the whole day—Bayshore continues to be one of the Milwaukee area’s top destinations.